Extreme Drought Leads to Unprecedented Drying of South Carolina’s Little Pee Dee River at Davis Landing

Extreme Drought Dries Up Little Pee Dee River at Davis Landing

The ongoing extreme drought has claimed yet another victim in South Carolina. The Little Pee Dee River at Davis Landing, which is the only river in the state to be deemed naturally endangered due to extreme drought by the S.C. Drought Response Committee, has dried up. The river, which usually twists and weaves into creeks and wetlands, aids in demarcating the line between Horry and Marion counties. It then joins the Great Pee Dee River near the Horry and Georgetown county line.

An Unprecedented Drying

For nearly two weeks, the Davis landing, which is located off S.C. 41 in the Blue Savannah area upstream of Galivants Ferry, has been devoid of water. A clear difference in color on the submerged parts of the bald cypress trees illustrates the previous water level. The roots of cypress trees, known as cypress knees, embellish what used to be the riverbank, while patches of green sagittaria indicate where the river used to bend and branch out.

Hope for Future Rainfall

While the harsh and sweltering conditions have intensified the drought, the hope for a return to normalcy lies in the forecasted rainfall. According to Hope Mizzell, the state climatologist, the river requires a more typical pattern of rainfall sustained over several weeks rather than a few days to recover from the current drought. The Drought Committee is scheduled to meet on July 24 to evaluate the statewide drought and the impact of the predicted rainfall in the following week.

Impacts of the Drought

The drought has brought about more damage than just the dry river landing. Farming has suffered due to crop damage, and there has been an increase in wildfires. Some farmers in the state have reported a 50% loss in corn crops, raising concerns for cotton, soybean, and peanut crops as harvest season looms.

Future of the Little Pee Dee River

While the current state of the Little Pee Dee River is worrisome, there is hope for its revival. Becky Ryon, Director at the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League’s North Coast office, expressed her hopes for the river, stating that it’s not entirely gone and will certainly repopulate to some extent. She emphasized the need for rain but cautioned against the drastic consequences of a hurricane.

The Little Pee Dee River has been declared the fifth most endangered river in the U.S., but not due to the drought. The advocacy group, American Rivers, has attributed this status to potential highway development. This has ignited concerns among environmentalists about the potential damage to over 300 acres of wetlands. Therefore, while coping with the current drought is the immediate challenge, safeguarding the river from harmful development projects remains a significant hurdle in its future.